Customizable sporting equipment cover and method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

A sporting equipment cover consisting of a custom three-dimensional printed figurehead attached to a cover portion. The printed figurehead is fabricated from a three-dimensional scanned image of an individual using a three-dimensional ink jet printing process. The printed figurehead can be coated with one or more layers of a clear protective coating to increase the longevity of the printed figurehead. A mounting flange is formed about a mounting edge of the three-dimensional printed figurehead. The mounting flange is attached to the cover portion using a mounting bracket, a mechanical fastener, or other fastening interface. The cover portion can be designed to cover any sporting equipment, including golf clubs, racquets, etc. Alternatively, the printed figurehead can be a complete head and attached using a bobble head styled interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. non-provisional patent application is a Continuation of U.S.non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/443,252, filed Apr. 10,2012 which, in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 61/474,533, filed on Apr. 12, 2011. The entire contentsof both applications are incorporated-by-reference herein in theirentireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to a sporting goods coverhaving a customized figurehead attached thereto and a method ofmanufacturing the apparatus. More specifically, the figurehead isfabricated replicating an individual or animal using a three-dimensionalprinting machine and attaching the custom fabricated figurehead to asporting goods cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sporting equipment is commonly protected by a cover when not in use.Several examples include covers for golf club heads, tennis racquets,and the like. The covers are offered for sale to consumers in a varietyof designs, colors, and materials to distinguish the covers from otheravailable covers. The covers are fabricated of a material, such asfabric, vinyl, leather, a knit, plastic, a composite, and the like.

Sportspersons have a tendency to personalize their equipment. Thisincludes locating a cover or series of covers that compliment thepersonality of the sportsperson. The sporting equipment covers currentlyoffered are manufactured using common production techniques resulting ina potential for two sportspeople having the same covers.

An exemplary method of personalizing a sporting equipment cover is tomonogram the covers.

Therefore, a manufacturing process and resulting sporting equipmentcovers that are unique and personalized is highly desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally directed to adorned covers forsports equipment, including but not limited to golf club covers, tennisracquet covers, and the like.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a sports equipmentcover assembly displaying at least a portion of a three-dimensional headbearing striking similarity to one of a corresponding preselected actualhuman or animal head, the sports equipment cover assembly comprising:

a flexible first covering constructed for being snugly fitted over anend portion of said sports equipment;

a unitary three-dimensional article comprised of a plurality ofsuccessively joined particles of material creating a front facialportion contoured to match said facial features and contours of saidcorresponding preselected actual human or animal head, via athree-dimensional digital file representative of said preselected actualhuman or animal head and respective three-dimensional printing process;and

a mechanical attachment interface for attaching said unitarythree-dimensional article to said flexible first covering, in a mannerwherein said unitary three-dimensional article is prominently displayedwhen said sports equipment cover assembly is disposed upon said endportion of said sports equipment.

In a second aspect, the custom three-dimensional figurehead isfabricated using anythree-dimensional rapid prototyping machine toprovide a custom three-dimensional figurehead representative of thethree-dimensional object. The three-dimensional object can be scanned,computer generated, and the like.

In another aspect, the custom three-dimensional figurehead is fabricatedusing an inkjet three-dimensional printing machine to provide a customthree-dimensional figurehead having a color pattern matching the scannedthree-dimensional object.

In another aspect, the custom three-dimensional figurehead can befabricated replicating a facial portion of an individual.

In another aspect, the custom three-dimensional figurehead can befabricated replicating a facial portion of an animal.

In another aspect, the attachment interface utilizes a plurality ofmechanical fasteners. It is understood that any mechanical fastener canbe utilized. The mechanical fasteners can be selected from an exemplarygroup of mechanical fasteners; the exemplary mechanical fasteners groupcomprising grommets, rivets, dense hook and loop tape, adhesive, andultrasonic welding.

In another aspect, the attachment interface can utilize a mechanicalcoupling interface such as a mounting flange and a respective mountingbracket.

In another aspect, the mechanical coupling interface can be providedhaving an inverted “U” shape.

In another aspect, the mounting flange can be integrated into a unitaryconstruction of the custom three-dimensional printed figurehead.

In another aspect, the custom three-dimensional figurehead can befabricated replicating a complete head of an individual.

In another aspect, the custom three-dimensional figurehead can befabricated replicating a complete head of an animal.

In another aspect, the custom three-dimensional figurehead can beattached to the cover portion using a spring resembling a bobble head.

In another aspect, the lifespan of the custom three-dimensionalfigurehead can be enhanced by applying one or more coatings of aprotective material thereon. The preferred embodiment would be a clearcoating.

In another aspect, the protective coating can be applied using a sprayapplication, a dipping application, a brushed application, or the like.

In another aspect, the figurehead can comprise a complete hollow head,including a facial portion, a rear portion, and a cavity therein forreceiving a golf club or other sports equipment.

In another aspect, the facial portion and the rear portion can behingeably attached.

In another aspect, the facial portion and the rear portion can be twoseparate components that are detachably latched together via amechanical interface.

In another aspect, a filler material is disposed within an interior ofthe complete hollow head. The filler material can be shaped to receive aspecifically shaped golf club head (or other sporting equipment device)or be fabricated of a pliant material capable of conforming to thesubject equipment.

In another aspect, the figurehead can be shaped and colored using anyshaping and coloring processes. Examples of methods include: handcarving and hand painting, machine carving, three-dimensional printing,and the like. The customer would submit one or more color images of adesired head. The figurehead would be shaped and colored in a likenessof the submitted images. The figurehead would be adapted to act as aprotective and/or decorative portion of a sporting goods equipmentcover.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention willbe further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art byreference to the following written specification, claims and appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with referenceto the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elementsand in which:

FIG. 1 presents an exemplary block diagram representing a manufacturingprocess for fabricating a sports equipment cover having a customthree-dimensional printed figurehead;

FIG. 2 presents an isometric view detailing an exemplary assemblyprocess for assembling the custom three-dimensional printed figureheadto a first exemplary location upon the sports equipment cover portion;

FIG. 3 presents an isometric view detailing an exemplary assemblyprocess for assembling the custom three-dimensional printed figureheadto an alternative exemplary location upon the sports equipment coverportion;

FIG. 4 presents a sectioned top view detailing a first exemplaryassembly interface for assembling the custom three-dimensional printedfigurehead to the sports equipment cover portion;

FIG. 5 presents a sectioned top view detailing a second exemplaryassembly interface for assembling the custom three-dimensional printedfigurehead to the sports equipment cover portion;

FIG. 6 presents an isometric view of an alternate exemplary sportsequipment cover having the custom three-dimensional printed figureheadcarried thereon;

FIG. 7 presents an isometric view detailing an exemplary assemblyinterface for assembling the custom three-dimensional printed figureheadto the sports equipment cover portion utilizing a bobble head interface;

FIG. 8 presents a flow diagram representing an exemplary manufacturingprocess;

FIG. 9 presents an isometric view of another exemplary sports equipmentcover utilizing a complete figurehead, the figurehead being sectionedinto a facial section and a rear section;

FIG. 10 presents a side sectioned view of the sports equipment coverintroduced in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 presents a side view of the sports equipment cover introduced inFIG. 9, the illustration demonstrating one exemplary opening element.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the described embodiments or the application anduses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary”or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or“illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other implementations. All of the implementationsdescribed below are exemplary implementations provided to enable personsskilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure andare not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is definedby the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,”“lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” andderivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to beunderstood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in theattached drawings, and described in the following specification, aresimply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in theappended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physicalcharacteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not tobe considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

A golf club cover assembly 240 or any other sporting equipment cover canbe ornated by the attachment of a custom three-dimensional printedfigurehead 200. The exemplary custom three-dimensional printedfigurehead 200 is fabricated using a three-dimensional printedfigurehead shaped and colored replicating an individual's face. Thecustom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200 would include commonfacial features, including a pair of eyes, a nose, a mouth, a chin,cheeks, a forehead, a lower jaw line, eyebrows, hair, and optionally apair of ears, depending on the desired percentage of the face to bemodeled.

The fabrication process of the custom three-dimensional printedfigurehead 200 is detailed in the exemplary custom three-dimensionalfigurehead adorned sporting equipment cover flow diagram 700 presentedin FIG. 8. The fabrication process is additionally illustrated in theexemplary block diagram presented in FIG. 1. The fabrication processinitiates with a step of obtaining a three-dimensional digital image ofan individual's face or head (block 702). The data can be obtained usingany three-dimensional scanner or by converting one or more pictures intoa three-dimensional digital format. The pictures can be scanned orentered in any other manner into a system, where software receives theimages, digitizes the images, and utilizes the digitized information togenerate a database representative of a three-dimensional object. Thedesigner determines the desired portion of the three-dimensional digitalobject that is to be modeled and affixed to a golf club cover 250 of agolf club cover assembly 240 (block 704). The database for thethree-dimensional digital object is digitally modified to isolate thedesired portion of the three-dimensional digital object to be modeled(block 706). The three-dimensional digital object can be modeled as asolid object or hollowed where the contour of the object is formed upona shell. The wall thickness of the shell can be adjusted for longevityand reliability considerations. The modified three-dimensional digitalobject is then perfected for assembly to the golf club cover 250 byadding a figurehead mounting feature 220 to a mounting edge of themodified three-dimensional digital object (block 708). The perfectedthree-dimensional digital object is configured into a print directingdigital format and transferred to a three-dimensional printing machine100 (block 710).

The three-dimensional printing machine 100 creates the customthree-dimensional printed figurehead 200 using a three-dimensionalprinting process (block 712), such as via a three-dimensional inkjetprinter. Although other three-dimensional printing processes can beemployed, inkjet printing offers some additional benefits and istherefore presented herein as an exemplary embodiment. Ink jet printingwas developed utilizing printer and plotter technique involves shootingtiny droplets of ink on paper to produce graphic images. Rapidprototyping ink jet techniques utilize ink jet technology to shootdroplets of liquid-to-solid compound and form a layer of a rapidprototyping model. Several common ink jet printing techniques includeSanders ModelMaker™, Multi-Jet Modeling™, Z402 Ink Jet System™, andThree-Dimensional Printing. The created custom three-dimensional printedfigurehead 200 is then coated with a protective layer or a plurality oflayers of a protectant (block 714). The protectant can be any coatingthat is compatible with the material and coloring inks of the printedcustom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200. The preferredembodiment would apply at least one layer of a clear protectant. Thecoating may be applied using a spray on process, a dipping process, abrush on process, or the like.

The three-dimensional printing machine 100 includes a print headassembly 130. The print head assembly 130 includes a print head 132carried by a print head controller 134. The print head controller 134 isprogrammably positioned along an X-axis and a Y-axis by any reasonablepositioning system. The print head controller 134 can be programmablypositioned along a Z-axis when necessary for creating the customthree-dimensional printed figurehead 200. A work piece support tray 120is placed upon or within a printing machine base 110. The print head 132shoots droplets of a liquid-to-solid compound into material containedwithin the work piece support tray 120. The droplets of aliquid-to-solid compound combine with the powder contained within a workpiece support tray 120 to build up and form the custom three-dimensionalprinted figurehead 200. The process includes and injects a coloringmedium during the printing process, allowing the generation of a coloredthree-dimensional likeness of the scanned individual's face or head. Thefabrication process creates various printed figurehead facial features210 upon the custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200. The designand fabrication process additionally integrates a figurehead mountingfeature 220 with the custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200. Inthe exemplary embodiment, the figurehead mounting feature 220 is formedin a shaped of a mounting flange 222. It is understood that thethree-dimensional printing machine 100 can include a plurality of printhead assemblies 130 and respective work piece support trays 120 forfabricating a respective plurality of custom three-dimensional printedfigureheads 200. The print head assemblies 130 can be controlledindividually or in unison to replicate a plurality of the same design orcreate a series of unique designs simultaneously.

Alternative three-dimensional rapid prototyping processes can beutilized to create the custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200.These can include stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering(SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), laminated object manufacturing(LOM), and electron beam melting (EBM). It is understood that each ofthese processes has advantages and disadvantages that would beconsidered when determining the actual process used. An example of anavailable machine for accomplished the manufacturing task forfabricating the custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200 is theDesignjet 3D. The Designjet 3D is based on Stratasys's Fused DepositionModeling (FDM) technology, which turns three-dimensional CAD drawingsinto tangible prototypes by extruding partially molten ABS plastic inextremely fine layers one atop the other, forming the entire 3-D modelin a single piece from the ground up. The equipment is offered in astandard model, which prints in ivory-colored plastic and a colorversion, which is capable of printing single-color parts in up to eightdifferent colors.

A golf club cover assembly 240 is fabricated during a separate process(blocks 730, 732, 734, 736, 738). The golf club cover assembly 240comprises a mounting bracket 260 attached to a golf club cover 250.Initially, the manufacturing company determines the sporting equipmentthat the manufacturer will be offering golf club cover assemblies 240for (block 730). The golf club cover assemblies 240 are designedrespective to the selected sporting equipment (block 730). The designerconsiders the shapes; sizes, colors, materials, and the like for thegolf club cover assembly 240. The designer considers a form factor andintegration design for a closure 258 (block 734). In the exemplaryillustration, the closure 258 is a zipper. Those practiced in the artwill understand that any closure 258 can be utilized, including a densehook and loop tape interface, a frog and loop closure, a hook and eyeclosure, a tie, a button and buttonhole, and the like.

Upon conclusion of the design phase of the golf club cover assembly 240,the manufacturer fabricates the golf club cover assembly 240 accordingly(block 736). Any manufacturing process suited for the design can beutilized to fabricate the golf club cover assembly 240. This includessewing, adhesive, molding, riveting, grommets, ultrasonic welding, andthe like, and any combination thereof.

The mounting bracket 260 is designed to mate with the figureheadmounting feature 220. The mating between the figurehead mounting feature220 and mounting bracket 260 can be permanent or removable allowing theconsumer the ability to change the custom three-dimensional printedfigurehead 200 as desired. The mounting bracket 260 is fabricated inaccordance with any manufacturing means capable of creating mountingbracket 260 that is suited to mate with the figurehead mounting feature220 (block 720). In the exemplary embodiment, the mounting bracket 260is shaped to engage with the mounting flange 222. The mounting bracket260 is preferably fabricated using a plastic injection molding process.Those practiced in the art can appreciate the mounting bracket 260 canbe fabricated of any reasonable material and respective manufacturingprocess. The completed mounting bracket 260 are generally fabricated inbulk and transferred to a location for assembly to the golf club cover250. The mounting bracket 260 can be attached to the golf club cover 250using any attachment mechanism, including adhesive, stitching, grommets,rivets, and the like. The attachment mechanism is selected based uponcomfort to the user, cost, ease of assembly, compatibility with theinterface between the figurehead mounting feature 220 and the mountingbracket 260, and the like.

The finished custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200 is attachedto the finished golf club cover 250 by engaging the figurehead mountingfeature 220 and the mounting bracket 260 together. The interface betweenthe figurehead mounting feature 220 and the mounting bracket 260 can bemade permanent with the inclusion of an adhesive, a mechanical fastener,and the like. Alternatively, the figurehead mounting feature 220 can beremovably attached from the mounting bracket 260 with the inclusion of atemporary restraining feature such as a detent, a biased latch, and thelike.

Details of the present invention and design alternatives are presentedin FIGS. 1 through 7. The custom three-dimensional printed figurehead200 can be assembled to any reasonable location on the golf club cover250. A first exemplary location is a vertical planar surface 252 of thegolf club cover 250 as illustrated in FIG. 2. A second exemplarylocation is an upper planar surface 254 of the golf club cover 250 asillustrated in FIG. 3.

The assembly of the custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200 tothe golf club cover 250 can be accomplished using any reasonableassembly interface. A mounting flange 222 is integrated into the shapeof the custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200, wherein theexemplary mounting flange 222 extends inward from a mounting edge of afigurehead sidewall 212 of the custom three-dimensional printedfigurehead 200. In a first exemplary assembly interface, the mountingflange 222 is secured to the golf club cover 250 using the mountingbracket 260 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The exemplary mounting bracket 260is formed in a modified “Z” shape, including a mounting bracket coverattachment flange 262 for attachment to the attachment surface 252 and amounting bracket figurehead attachment flange 264 for engagement withthe mounting flange 222. Although the exemplary mounting bracket 260 isillustrated in an inverted “U” shape, the mounting bracket 260 can beprovided in any continuous shape or provided in a plurality of segmentedsections suitable for receiving the mounting flange 222.

It is understood that the custom three-dimensional printed figurehead200 can be any reasonable size respective to the golf club cover 250.The custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200 can be shaped tooptimize form, fit, function, and flow with the golf club cover 250.

An alternative to the engaging mechanical interface would be anattachment fastener as presented in the exemplary illustration shown inFIG. 5. An attachment fastener 270 can be inserted through the golf clubcover 250 and an aperture provided through the mounting flange 222 topermanently attach the custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200to the attachment surface 252. Although the exemplary attachmentfastener 270 is a grommet, it is understood that the attachment fastener270 can be any reasonable mechanical interface, including rivets,adhesive, dense hook and loop tape interface, and the like.

The initial illustrations present a golf club cover assembly 240 for usewith a golf club 300. The present invention can be adapted to a coverdesign for use with any sporting equipment having a surface suited forreceiving the custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 200. A secondexemplary embodiment is a racquet cover assembly 400, illustrated inFIG. 6. The racquet cover assembly 400 includes a racquet cover 410having an attachment surface 412. A cover closure 420 is integrated intothe racquet cover 410 providing a means for adapting the racquet coverassembly 400 for insertion of at least a portion of the sportingequipment therein, and subsequently securing the racquet cover assembly400 thereto. In the exemplary illustration, the cover closure 420 is azipper. Those practiced in the art will understand that any closure 420can be utilized, including a dense hook and loop tape interface, a frogand loop closure, a hook and eye closure, a tie, a button andbuttonhole, and the like. The custom three-dimensional printedfigurehead 200 is attached to the attachment surface 412 using any ofthe attachment interfaces presented in the golf club cover embodimentpreviously described herein.

The above presented embodiments present a custom three-dimensionalprinted figurehead 200 being rigidly fixed to the cover 250, 410. In analternative embodiment, a custom three-dimensional printed figurehead500 can be moveably attached to a golf club head cover 610 using aspring 524 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Since the mounting interfaceextends from a base section of the head, the custom three-dimensionalprinted figurehead 500 is fabricated replicating an entire head,including printed figurehead facial features 510 representative of theindividual's face, and preferably including a portion of theindividual's neck. Although it is preferred to use a replication of anentire head, it is understood that the custom three-dimensional printedfigurehead 500 can be fabricated including any reasonable portionthereof.

The golf club head cover assembly 600 is fabricated including a coverclosure 620 integrated into a golf club head cover 610, similarly to thegolf club cover assembly 240 previously presented. The golf club headcover 610 includes a figurehead attachment surface 612 for attachment ofthe custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 500. A spring mount base520 includes a spring attachment feature 522. The spring mount base 520is attached to the figurehead attachment surface 612 using anyreasonable attachment means, including adhesive, mechanical fasteners,and the like. A spring 524 provides a moveable assembly interfacebetween the custom three-dimensional printed figurehead 500 and thespring attachment feature 522 creating a bobble head effect.

Another exemplary embodiment is referred to as an encapsulatingfigurehead club cover 800, which is shown in an isometric view of astorage configuration in FIG. 9, a side sectioned view of a storedconfiguration in FIG. 10, and a side view of an opened configuration inFIG. 11.

The encapsulating figurehead club cover 800 is fabricated having afigurehead facial portion 810 and a figurehead rear portion 830. Thefigurehead facial portion 810 and figurehead rear portion 830 are shapedusing the three-dimensional printing machine 100 as described above orany other known custom shaping process. The shaping process would createcommon facial features onto the figurehead facial portion 810, includinga pair of figurehead eyes 812, a figurehead nose 714, figurehead lips816, and a pair of figurehead ear 818. A frontal neck section 822 ispreferably incorporated into the design, wherein the frontal necksection 822 extends downward providing an extension for partiallycovering portions of the golf club shaft 310 of the golf club 300. Thiscan provide additional support to the encapsulating figurehead clubcover 800 and protection to the golf club 300. Additional features, suchas cheeks, a chin, a forehead, and the like would also be shaped ontothe figurehead facial portion 810 accordingly. Figurehead hair 820,including facial hair, would be included in the process. It is notedthat the software may generate a fabrication routine based upon thefacial features 812, 814, 816, 818 and hair 820 using separate routines.The figurehead rear portion 830 would be shaped in a similar manner,including figurehead rear hair 832 and a rear neck section 834.

The figurehead facial portion 810 and the figurehead rear portion 830can be shaped as a unitary structure and subsequently separated toprovide unity between the two sections. The figurehead facial portion810 and figurehead rear portion 830 would include a front portion matingedge 819 and a rear portion mating edge 839 respectively, wherein thefigurehead facial portion 810 and the figurehead rear portion 830 matealong the front portion mating edge 819 and the rear portion mating edge839. The front portion mating edge 819 and rear portion mating edge 839can be separately joined in any manner known by those skilled in theart. In one exemplary joining configuration, the figurehead facialportion 810 and figurehead rear portion 830 can be pivotally attached bya connecting hinge 840 as shown. In the pivotal configuration, theconnecting hinge 840 can be located at any reasonable location, whereinthe exemplary embodiment locates the connecting hinge 840 along an uppermating edge. Another joining configuration can secure the front portionmating edge 819 and the rear portion mating edge 839 to one anotherusing snap tabs. Yet another joining configuration can secure the frontportion mating edge 819 and the rear portion mating edge 839 to oneanother using a section of a magnetized material and a mating section ofmagnetic material. Yet another joining configuration can secure thefront portion mating edge 819 and the rear portion mating edge 839 toone another using a section of strapping material such as a ribboncomprising a dense hook and loop tape.

The figurehead facial portion 810 and figurehead rear portion 830 arefabricated having a hollowed interior volume for receiving and encasinga golf club head 312. The hollowed interior volume of the figureheadfacial portion 810 is defined by a figurehead facial portion interiorsurface 828. The hollowed interior volume of the figurehead rear portion830 is defined by a figurehead rear portion interior surface 838. Afrontal portion filler material 850 can be inserted within the hollowedinterior volume of the figurehead facial portion 810. Similarly, a rearportion filler material 852 can be inserted within the hollowed interiorvolume of the figurehead rear portion 830. The filler material 850, 852can be provided in any of a variety of materials and shapes to supportand protect the golf club head 312. In one embodiment, the fillermaterial 850, 852 can be formed to contour to an exterior shape of thegolf club head 312. In one embodiment, the filler material 850, 852 canbe fabricated of a pliant material enabling the filler material 850, 852to conform to the exterior shape of the golf club head 312. The fillermaterial 850, 852 can be fabricated of foam, spun material (such as spunpolyester), pliant plastic, formed plastic or nylon, and the like. It isunderstood that the filler material 850, 852 can include a spring,creating a bobble head effect upon the golf club head 312.

It is understood that alternate embodiments of the figurehead rearportion 830 can be utilized; wherein the figurehead rear portion 830 canbe any shape and material suitable for partially or completely enclosinga rear portion of the encapsulating figurehead club cover 800. The rearportion can provide access to the interior void by any reasonableclosure, including a zipper, a dense hook and loop tape, a magneticclosure, standard hook and loops, buttons and buttonholes, a tieclosure, and the like. The figurehead rear portion 830 would be designedto optimize the ease of entry and removal of the golf club head 312 fromthe interior of the encapsulating figurehead club cover 800.

The exterior surface of the figurehead facial portion 810 and figureheadrear portion 830 are finished adding color to reflect the likeness ofthe individual. Any additional features may be added to theencapsulating figurehead club cover 800 as desired. One example would bean addition of actual or artificial hair.

The concept of the present invention provides a custom apparatustailored towards an individual. The custom three-dimensional printedfigurehead 200, 500, 800 can be of the individual, a family member, afriend, a pet or other animal, or the like. The three-dimensional inkjet printing process provides a manufacturing method, which replicatesan object in a three-dimension model, including color. The process cancreate a one-off unique design to distinguish the sporting equipmentcover 240, 400, 600 from any others. The fabrication of the customthree-dimensional printed figurehead 200, 500, 800 can be completed atretail locations such as kiosks.

Those practiced in the art will understand that the customthree-dimensional printed figurehead 200, 500, 800 can also be attachedto any other object, including hand mirrors, hair brushes, key chains,school backpacks, hats, and the like. The custom three-dimensionalprinted figurehead 200, 500, 800 would be attached to the respectiveobject in a manner suited for each individual application.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the three-dimensionalfigurehead 200, 500, 800 can be fabricated using other customfabrication techniques. The three-dimensional figurehead 200, 500, 800can be fabricated using automated machining or carving techniques, handcarving, and the like to replicate a three dimensional shape based uponan image or series of images. The interior space can be created by anyknown process to remove unwanted material from a mass of material.Alternatively, the three-dimensional figurehead 200, 500, 800 canincorporate the interior space during the fabrication steps.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalence.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sports equipment cover assembly displaying atleast a portion of a three-dimensional head bearing striking similarityto one of a corresponding preselected actual human or animal head, thesports equipment cover assembly comprising: a flexible first coveringconstructed for being snugly fitted over an end portion of said sportsequipment; a unitary three-dimensional article comprised of a pluralityof successively joined particles of material creating a front facialportion contoured to match said facial features and contours of saidcorresponding preselected actual human or animal head, via athree-dimensional digital file representative of said preselected actualhuman or animal head and respective three-dimensional printing process;and a mechanical attachment interface for attaching said unitarythree-dimensional article to said flexible first covering, in a mannerwherein said unitary three-dimensional article is prominently displayedwhen said sports equipment cover assembly is disposed upon said endportion of said sports equipment.
 2. A sports equipment cover assemblydisplaying at least a portion of a three-dimensional head bearingstriking similarity to one of a corresponding preselected actual humanor animal head as recited in claim 1, the mechanical attachmentinterface further comprising: an interface subassembly including a firstinterface subassembly portion fixedly attached to said exterior surfaceof said flexible first covering, and a second interface subassemblyintegrated with said three-dimensional article, wherein said first andsecond interface subassemblies can be selectively engaged with oneanother to attached said three-dimensional article to said flexiblefirst covering, and can be selectively disengaged to remove saidthree-dimensional article therefrom.
 3. A sports equipment coverassembly displaying at least a portion of a three-dimensional headbearing striking similarity to one of a corresponding preselected actualhuman or animal head as recited in claim 1, the mechanical attachmentinterface further comprising at least one mechanical fastener.
 4. Asports equipment cover assembly displaying at least a portion of athree-dimensional head bearing striking similarity to one of acorresponding preselected actual human or animal head as recited inclaim 1, the mechanical attachment interface further comprising aspring.
 5. A sports equipment cover assembly displaying at least aportion of a three-dimensional head bearing striking similarity to oneof a corresponding preselected actual human or animal head as recited inclaim 1, wherein said plurality of successively joined particles ofmaterial are colored in accordance with a color layout of saidpreselected actual human or animal head during said joining process toprovide a colored three-dimensional article, wherein said coloring moreclearly defines facial and head features of said unitarythree-dimensional article.
 6. A sports equipment cover assemblydisplaying at least a portion of a three-dimensional head bearingstriking similarity to one of a corresponding preselected actual humanor animal head as recited in claim 1, said three-dimensional articlefurther comprises a hollowed out interior forming an interior void.
 7. Asports equipment cover assembly displaying at least a portion of athree-dimensional head bearing striking similarity to one of acorresponding preselected actual human or animal head as recited inclaim 1, said three-dimensional article further comprises at least onelayer of clear protectant applied to an exterior surface thereof.
 8. Asports equipment cover assembly displaying at least a portion of athree-dimensional head bearing striking similarity to one of acorresponding preselected actual human or animal head, the sportsequipment cover assembly comprising: a unitary three-dimensional articlecomprised of a plurality of successively joined particles of materialcreating a front facial portion contoured to match said facial featuresand contours of said corresponding preselected actual human or animalhead, via a three-dimensional digital file representative of saidpreselected actual human or animal head and respective three-dimensionalprinting process said unitary three-dimensional article having anexterior surface contour conforming to said contour of said preselectedactual head, and said article having an interior surface defining aninterior cavity conforming to an exterior surface of said exposed end ofsaid sports equipment such that said article fits snugly upon saidexposed sports equipment end when said cover assembly is attachedthereto.
 9. A sports equipment cover assembly displaying at least aportion of a three-dimensional head bearing striking similarity to oneof a corresponding preselected actual human or animal head as recited inclaim 8, said unitary three-dimensional article is sectioned into afigurehead facial portion and a figurehead rear portion, said figureheadfacial portion comprising a front portion mating edge and saidfigurehead rear portion comprising a rear portion mating edge, whereinsaid front portion mating edge and said rear portion mating edge engagecan be selectively engaged with one another to attached saidthree-dimensional article to said flexible first covering, and can beselectively disengaged to remove said three-dimensional articletherefrom.
 10. A sports equipment cover assembly displaying at least aportion of a three-dimensional head bearing striking similarity to oneof a corresponding preselected actual human or animal head as recited inclaim 9, said unitary three-dimensional article further comprising ahinge provided between said front portion mating edge and said rearportion mating edge.
 11. A sports equipment cover assembly displaying atleast a portion of a three-dimensional head bearing striking similarityto one of a corresponding preselected actual human or animal head asrecited in claim 8, said unitary three-dimensional article furthercomprising a pliant material disposed within said article interiorsurface, wherein said pliant material is shaped conforming to anexterior surface of said exposed end of said sports equipment.
 12. Asports equipment cover assembly displaying at least a portion of athree-dimensional head bearing striking similarity to one of acorresponding preselected actual human or animal head as recited inclaim 8, wherein said plurality of successively joined particles ofmaterial are colored in accordance with a color layout of saidpreselected actual human or animal head during said joining process toprovide a colored three-dimensional article, wherein said coloring moreclearly defines facial and head features of said unitarythree-dimensional article.
 13. A sports equipment cover assemblydisplaying at least a portion of a three-dimensional head bearingstriking similarity to one of a corresponding preselected actual humanor animal head as recited in claim 8, said three-dimensional articlefurther comprises at least one layer of clear protectant applied to anexterior surface thereof.
 14. A method of fabricating a sports equipmentcover assembly displaying at least a portion of a three-dimensional headbearing striking similarity to one of a corresponding preselected actualhuman or animal head, the method comprising steps of: obtaining an imageof one of a corresponding preselected actual human or animal head;creating unitary three-dimensional article having a front facial portioncontoured to match said facial features and contours of saidcorresponding preselected actual human or animal head; defining avolumetric void for removable attachment of said unitarythree-dimensional article to an end portion of said sports equipment;and combining said unitary three-dimensional article and said volumetricvoid in a manner wherein said unitary three-dimensional article isprominently displayed when said end portion of said sports equipment isinserted into said volumetric void.
 15. A method of fabricating a sportsequipment cover assembly displaying at least a portion of athree-dimensional head bearing striking similarity to one of acorresponding preselected actual human or animal head as recited inclaim 14, the method comprising additional steps of: forming a hollowedinterior section of said unitary three-dimensional article, wherein saidhollowed interior section defines an interior cavity that conforms to anexterior surface of said exposed end of said sports equipment such thatsaid article fits snugly upon said exposed sports equipment end whensaid cover assembly is attached thereto.
 16. A method of fabricating asports equipment cover assembly displaying at least a portion of athree-dimensional head bearing striking similarity to one of acorresponding preselected actual human or animal head as recited inclaim 14, the method comprising additional steps of: programming athree-dimensional printing device; and creating said unitarythree-dimensional article using said three-dimensional printing deviceby successively joining particles of a material.
 17. A method offabricating a sports equipment cover assembly displaying at least aportion of a three-dimensional head bearing striking similarity to oneof a corresponding preselected actual human or animal head as recited inclaim 16, the method comprising additional step of: introducing color tosaid unitary three-dimensional article by applying color to saidparticles of a material during said step of successively joiningparticles of a material.
 18. A method of fabricating a sports equipmentcover assembly displaying at least a portion of a three-dimensional headbearing striking similarity to one of a corresponding preselected actualhuman or animal head as recited in claim 14, the method comprisingadditional step of: sectioning said unitary three-dimensional articleinto a figurehead facial portion and a figurehead rear portion, saidfigurehead facial portion comprising a front portion mating edge andsaid figurehead rear portion comprising a rear portion mating edge,wherein said front portion mating edge and said rear portion mating edgeengage can be selectively engaged with one another to attached saidthree-dimensional article to said flexible first covering, and can beselectively disengaged to remove said three-dimensional articletherefrom.
 19. A method of fabricating a sports equipment cover assemblydisplaying at least a portion of a three-dimensional head bearingstriking similarity to one of a corresponding preselected actual humanor animal head as recited in claim 18, the method comprising additionalstep of: integrating an attachment interface between said front portionmating edge and said rear portion mating edge, wherein said attachmentinterface enables engagement and disengagement between said frontportion mating edge and said rear portion mating edge.
 20. A method offabricating a sports equipment cover assembly displaying at least aportion of a three-dimensional head bearing striking similarity to oneof a corresponding preselected actual human or animal head as recited inclaim 14, the method comprising additional steps of: obtaining a sportsequipment cover comprising said volumetric void; and attaching saidunitary three-dimensional article to said sports equipment cover in amanner wherein said unitary three-dimensional article is prominentlydisplayed when said sports equipment cover assembly is disposed uponsaid end portion of said sports equipment.